Harroop Singh Bola, a 23-year-old medical student and co-founder of the British Indian Medical Association (BIMA), has been named a recipient of this year’s Diana Award, celebrating his outstanding commitment to fostering mentorship and support within the Indian-origin medical community in the UK.
The Diana Award, established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, honors young individuals who have made significant contributions to social action and humanitarian efforts. This year’s accolade, supported by Diana’s sons Prince William and Prince Harry, recognized Bola for his exceptional dedication to creating positive change through his daily endeavors.
“It is both a profound honour and a valuable opportunity to be recognised with the Diana Award for our efforts in addressing and bridging inequalities within the British Indian medical community,” Bola stated during the announcement. “This recognition underscores the importance of inspiring others to become changemakers and future leaders in healthcare.”
Bola, a first-generation medical student at Imperial College London, faced considerable personal challenges on his path to medicine. In 2020, he co-founded BIMA to establish a supportive network for Indian-origin medical students, addressing the lack of mentorship and representation in the field. Under his leadership, BIMA has expanded to over 2,000 members and has organized more than 250 events, impacting over 7,000 individuals worldwide.
As a final-year student, Bola has demonstrated remarkable leadership by managing four committees within BIMA, collaborating with the General Medical Council (GMC), and advocating for increased representation of British Indians in healthcare professions. His efforts have not only provided extensive career support and mentorship but also fostered cultural initiatives that enrich the medical community.
Bola credits much of his success to the support of his colleagues, Virensinh Rathod and Dr. Amar Rai, who have been instrumental in BIMA’s growth and achievements. “We warmly congratulate our new Diana Award recipients from across the world who are dedicating their time to making positive change,” said Dr. Tessy Ojo, CEO of the Diana Award. “These young people demonstrate that young people have the power to change the world; a belief also held by Diana, Princess of Wales. We know by receiving this honour they will inspire more young people to get involved in their communities.”
This year, the Diana Award received over 1,700 nominations globally, marking it as the most competitive year to date. Recipients are chosen based on their dedication of at least 12 months to leading positive social change through activities such as campaigning, educating, fundraising, and delivering essential services.
Harroop Singh Bola’s recognition with the Diana Award highlights his significant contributions to the medical community and serves as an inspiration to young changemakers worldwide.
